Life as a Vet

As a Vet, you might work with domestic pets, zoos, farms or a combination of the three. But, in the end, it doesn’t matter if you are examining a hamster or an elephant, in every kind of situation you will be always responsible for one thing and one thing only: looking after buddies’ health and welfare.

If you have a strong aptitude for science and you are totally in love with animals, you could make a great Veterinary someday!

Pick a course!

You need to keep in mind that Veterinary medicine is a broad subject leading to a range of careers and it is based upon science and research. These are an integral part of the programme, marking progress and advances into the future of veterinary medicine.

To enrol a Veterinary Science Degree course is not an easy task; the vet course is really demanding academically, emotionally and physically. But, no matter what, vet students are always pretty unique and yet with a common denominator: the great reward this career can bring is what moves them.

To apply for a Vet degree there is no perfect formula, but there are two main components you may want to include in your application:

 A good academic record

According to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, university entrance requirements might change from school to school, so it is important to regularly check universities websites for their individual prospectuses.

Generally, requirements to attend for a Veterinary University in England consist of:

• GCSE. Most universities require you to have at least a grade C and many will expect A grades.
• A Levels. You will need 3 full A-levels or equivalent, Biology plus two subjects between Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics.

But if you do not have the required scientific qualifications, some schools offer a 6-year course, with an extra year focused on the types of subjects that most students will study at A level, preparing you for the 5 year degree.

A variety of work experiences

 

Practising at local kennels, veterinary clinics, farms or zoos. This will show evidence of your interest and commitment.

 

 

Study and enjoy!

Once in vet school, you will step into a world filled with opportunities and amazing experience, surrounded by crazily passionate students just like you, supporting and helping each other during your studies!

After your degree from a veterinary school, you will finally be able to register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

And always think that, in this field, a specialization and a postgraduate work experience is a ticket to your future career!

You might want to take a look also at recent graduate profiles the Association of Veterinary Students (AVS) has published to provide an insight to career options.

Here comes your professional career!

Want to become an awesome vet? Always remember to keep up your interest in animal welfare and be patient and sympathetic with animals and their families (owners) but decisive enough to make difficult decisions if the situation requires that.

Keep up with new inventions, discovers, treatments and all kinds of animal biology.

Find time to do some exercise. Yes, you heard just fine. If you want to reach your awesomeness as a vet, you should remain reasonably fit, able to take care of anxious chicks and fainting horses!

A Vet needs to like animals but able to stay firm and calm around them, as well as ready for any type of illness. Every day is different as a Vet, but some general responsibilities will never change:

• you will have to diagnose and treat animals, operating on them if needed;
• you will have to advise people on how best to look after their buddies;
• you will have to neuter animals, like cats and dogs, for responsible population control;
• you will have to be empathetic towards families when an animal is not going to get better and putting them to sleep if they are beyond further treatment.

It is sad (and it always will be) when animals have come to the end of their lives, but you may take comfort in the knowledge that you have provided the best possible treatment and that they were loved by their owners right to the last.

…Be awesome!

Maybe hard sometimes, but your job is going to be amazing! Helping both pets and people (always preferring the former).

One thing is for sure: after becoming a Vet you could never see yourself doing anything else!

 

 

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